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Old 06-29-2007, 12:47 PM   #26
Andrea Barnett Budin
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW...
Posts: 1,904
Wink Pre Scans Is Full Of Inscanity Moments

No matter who you are, new to bc, or a veteran warrior -- the test that could/might/please God won't looms large. Keep thinking I'd do better, I don't. Except this time, when I was busy being scared for Paul and forgot about being scared myself, for myself. Well, that isn't good. Diversion IS good, but by scrubbing a stained sink, writing, painting, whatever, NOT obsessing about a loved ones' saga of woes. But we do what we must, and surprise ourselves how strong we can be! And that alone is EMPOWERING, which is UPLIFTING...!

Yes, a pimple on my chest/declotte area freaks me out. I think, I never had skin mets. WHAT DO SKIN METS LOOK LIKE/FEEL LIKE? I don't think I want to know. Yet, of course, I do. To be adequately prepared, to be vigilant while seeking not to become crazed. I have a few teeny weeny little things that *normal* people wouldn't think twice about. On my legs for the most part, I think. I have "dermatologist" on a list, to get to once past Paul's orthopedist, cardiologist, urologist, internist and maybe neurologist. We have twin endocrinologist appts 7/18. Derma guy will have to wait. Supposed to go to Calif late July for littlest grandson's 1st Bday. Taking one day at a time, what w/Paul's issues and all. Guess you all know about taking ONE DAY AT A TIME. Too overwhelming to look too far ahead. The One Day Plan works wonderfully. But can't give my daughter any promises, which she totally understands. Pamela was supposed to come back to Boca w/us and 2 little guys, leaving Tom to his conference to join us when done. Now, I can't say just yet. Being a "planner" by nature has to be shelved for the moment.

Flori, good luck 7/3! Will think of you with smiley face, which is a trick you taught me. Love it! Habit forming! Just drew a blank on your name (w/the pimple and the stiff neck and the great sense of humor and...) Afraid to click elsewhere and lose this post. Can't seem to COPY it, so will have to think of you and your pretty face and blond hair and check after submitting. I apologize. I love all my sweet Soul Sisters who all get it!! Every one of you. This site is like HOME. Sending loving energy to all... ANDI Seeking to be *normal* when nothing else is, is quite the daunting challenge, eh?
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Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...

'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...

Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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